Texas Sheriff Takes on Westboro Baptist Church

McLennon Country Sheriff Parnell McNamara has had enough of talk by the Westboro Baptist Church and issued the following blanket warning earlier today to anyone threatening to picket the funeral services for victims of the West, Texas, explosion:

“We’ve been made aware that there could be individuals or groups who plan to picket or protest during the funeral services of our fallen heroes. Make no mistake about it, any attempt by any group or organization to disrupt the funerals of any of our victims of this tragedy will be dealt with swiftly and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I’ve contacted district attorney Abel Rena and he has assured me of his cooperation in this matter. We’re simply not going to tolerate that.”

Show your support for his efforts to thwart the Westboro Baptist Church in the comments below.

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The problem with the sheriff and DA attempting to prosecute these cretins is that the Supreme Court has already ruled that their protests are a constitutionally protected form of "speech," so if they attempt to prosecute or otherwise restrict their protest, they can be sued for damages -- and since Westboro has members who are attorneys, there is probably nothing more they would like.

On the other hand, if there was a cat up a tree on the other side of town that needed the entire sheriff's department to go rescue it, that would leave the protesters without any protection from the righteously pissed-off townspeople -- and god only knows how severe the beatdown would be, but my guess is that Westboro would not be going picketing anywhere for a while.

This Texas town is probably one town that I would NOT be in attendance as a protester, just because of this....though I totally applaud your suggestion, Thomas!...let the town take care of the slime who show up in protest of these funerals - the WBC needs a beat down, big time...I am sure that this town will get er' done! I am another bleeding heart from Ohio who is praying for your town and for peace and comfort with the burying of your people.

True, their speech is protected, however, a big semi, who cannot find decent parking at the motel WBC is staying at, happens to double park right in front of their van, and the driver gets out and heads to the nearest cafe for coffee, the sheriffs dept. may have to start a manhunt for said driver, that may take the entire time of the funerals.

Like I said above.. one day they will picket the WRONG funeral.. maybe some Army Ranger, Green Beret or Navy SEAL and one by one they will start dropping. I pray it doesnt come to this but if they keep kicking the sleeping tiger - one day it WILL wake up.

And yet..people who speak against Obama are told that they should respect the office....And congress ruled in favor of the 2nd amendment too, and yet we can't gather without being called disruptive, crazy, gun toting Conservatives. Typical Liberal 2-face logic.

I like that, unfortunately I am not in Texas, but have thought for a long time how that would go over if that cult was ever at a funeral of one of my friends or family, as Mr. T would say, I pity the fool

They COULD get them for other things. Disturbing the peace. Causing a public nuisance, etc. The cities and towns might be able to go after them, for the extra expense they cause. They charge some people for a search and rescue, so, why can't the cost be placed on the WBC? Just a thought.

Freedom of speech does not protect your right to spuriously shout "Fire!" in a crowded theater. As others have pointed out, there is certainly a law or ordinance that can be extrapolated to make untoward protests not worth it (painful works for me too).

Jim Speed : they will prosecute for murder and they WILL WIN. They must be legally barred from doing their harassment. You MUST do this through the system. They know the system in and out and use it to their every advantage.

Brandon, Mississippi had a novel way of dealing with the WB nutcases. The afternoon before the proposed protest at the services of a Marine killed in the line of duty, someone at a gas station heard one of the dirtbags talking about their plans for the following morning. He actually engaged the POS in a conversation, found out where they were staying, even recommended some nice local eateries. He then beat the shit out of him in the parking lot. Neither the Brandon nor the Pearl PD's could manage to find any evidence of any scuffle when they arrived. Oddly enough, when the WBC members tried to leave their motel the next morning to disrupt the funeral, there seemed to he dozens and dozens of vehicles parked behind them so they couldn't get out. They called and called the Sheriff's Department, but is seems that all the Deputies that day were answering other calls. They called all the local towing companies, but there must have been a rash of fender benders *somewhere*, because not one single tow truck was available. By the time any tow trucks could get there, why, the services were already over, the brave young man was properly and respectfully laid to rest, his family gone home to grieve, and WBC? Well, they missed the whole party. Oh, and the tow trucks somehow "lost" all the paperwork on the vehicles they had pulled, and therefore not one single car/truck owner was charged for towing. And they say us folks in Mississippi are backwards. Right.

Patsy Stone I would like to see "no room at the Inn" for this cult. I'm sure hotel owners could do without those funds for the time span the funerals would run. No rooms, no taxi's no gas, no food. Maybe, they would get the idea they weren't wanted.

The WBC has been shown to be effectively dealt with by the human shields that show up in counter protest. When they are outnumbered 100 (or more ) to one and can't get near the location they want to picket, they simply leave. If, however, they are confronted by an over-zealous sheriff, they receive lots more publicity and attention. Additionally, since the courts have already ruled they legally have the right to stage their heinous "protests", all it will do is incur costs to the local community as they have to fight it through the courts. WBC doesn't deserve that attention, they should be ignored like you would anything else beneath notice. Whenever you think of WBC you should picture equality house across the street and know that every time they use their "church" they need to pass/see a rainbow painted home.

Thomas - you are almost correct. Rights are funny things - your rights stop where my rights begin. Any of our "freedoms" is not an absolute. While WBC does have protected speech, that protection does not grant them immunity to any community regulations which are constitutional. While they are utilizing their freedom of speech, they do not have immunity to block streets or sidewalks, they do not have immunity to create a noise nuisance, they do not have the right to trespass, they do not have immunity to infringe upon others religious free speech rights.

I'm another bleeding heart liberal but from Ohio and I'm behind you all the way Sheriff. You know the whole country is sick and tired of these morons who only want attention. Well, give them some attention they will never forget!!!!

But, they are...at almost every event they picket any more many more people than WBC show up and block them from protesting. It's gotten so they arrive, shout for five minutes and leave - if they arrive at all. We should keep this up.

I'm a Right Wing Conservative Republican, and you have my support! I am ashamed to admit that those drooling goobers are from my neck of the woods. Go get 'em Sheriff McNamara! Unfortunately very few charges will be likely to stick as most of these losers are lawyers who have specialized abusing the system. With any luck you won't even have to see their brand of hatred and stupidity.

Candi Bowman, as a christian conservative I'd like to thank you for being open enough to appreciate the loss that the people of West, Tx have experienced. Idk what's wrong with the people of Westboro Baptist Church, it just makes me wonder how they can call themselves christian.

Good luck SHerrif. Not sure what I am-but it sure isn't Republican and it sure isn't conservative (as defined by today's standards) But the Westboro Nuts have go to be reeled in. THank you for taking a stand sir.

I'm a right-winged, conservative evangelical Christian from the South...the WBC is a disgrace to the Baptist denomination AND Christianity!! This is NOT what Christians are about! Sheriff: hang em' high! This rabid group of hate mongers needs to be stopped! But whenever I read stories like this I wonder how much longer that hateful group will continue to be a (ahem) "church"? I think the whole group is nothing but family members with one old devil misleading the flock.

From a generally leaning conservative, I am with the bleeding-hear liberals on this. Nail'em and Jail'em. Maybe an anti-Westboro group should start showing up at their events...give them a taste of their own medicine.

I have heard of many stupid and just plain wrong things that have sprung up over the years but a church that disrupts funerals of veterans, victims of terrorist attacks, shootings, is just wrong. These people need to be wiped off the face of the earth. They are a plague.

Eventually God will remove these people and his Judgement is much harsher than any of us could dream of inflicting on them. Ignoring them unless they come to my funeral at which point I will rise and deal with them meself!

Unfortunately these people(WBC) are only following the Christian Holy book. And if there is a GOD I imagine he will not be angered at the fact that they are following his word. I know that the bible does not tell them to picket funerals but it does say all of the things they are fighting against. And the United States has given them the right to do so. :(

these are very SICK People who know nothing of the TRUE Nature of the GOOD BOOK...They are Lost Souls,full of Venom,Hate,Resentment and a Lack of Respect and LOVE and a total lack of TOLERANCE...It is wrong what they do

These people call themselves a christian church but they are not... They just want to destroy the name christian, I believe they are satanic..... Trying to undermined what a true christian church stands for.....

Basically, the sherrif could simply arrest them for the "Hate Crime" of picketing a solmen occasion, such as a funeral. Cracking down on them for "Disturbing the peace" would be quite appropriate. "Disorderly Conduct" does not require that the person being disorderly has to be drunk.

Bleeding <3s need to be wiped off the face of the earth, they are a plague & it sure would solve alot of the problems facing this nation. I would Love to see the values and morals restored in peoples hearts that God so generously blessed this country for having. Seems the only ones lacking any of these are the POoOr bleeding idiots...:)

I filed and passed a law that requires anyone that is protesting at our Heroes funerals to have a permit. The law is three hours before and three hours after and no closer than 1000 feet. Enforce the law and no one will know these idiots were present.

Why is it limited to Heroes? It should be expanded to include any and all people's funerals. These WBC morons went to protest at Newtown. Those 6 and 7 year olds weren't heroes, they were babies who didn't get a chance to grow up and be heroes. Not all of the victims in Waco fall under the definition of a hero. They were Texas citizens living their lives one minute and the next they were blown out of their homes.

@Debbie - perhaps the law focused on war heroes b/c some nuts will rationalize politicizing military memorials b/c they oppose warfare as a political issue? -- just my assumption.

The problem here in TX is that Westboro IS politicizing the funerals of firefighters and farmers -- why? B/c they dislike one particular attendee of the funeral (Obama). To my knowledge even Obama has not politicized this in any way - only condolences. Unless he does, Westboro's politi-church has absolutely no reason to even be in our state!

Amanda and Debbie...it is any funeral...the people of West are our new hero's today...God's with you, West and so is Texas and the nation!: http://www.androvett.com/blog/2011/08/31/legal-news/top-new-texas-laws-of-2011-will-new-ban-on-funeral-protests-stand-on-appeal/

Thank you Allen Fletcher. I don't want a suit filed against the sheriff and this will protect him. I liked A&M's response to those scum....they completely blocked Westboro with their bodies. Lined up holding hands and it was awesome!

Debbie Spencer I think that whole thing about "heroes" is because the WBC seems to target "heroes" whether they be those who have fought and died for our country, or those who have died in a big publicized death like this. "Outsiders" are bombing/targeting these things because we are being punished because of our laws and acceptance of gay rights.

My (limited) understanding of the Westboro agenda is that it is solely in protest of homosexuality. They choose to protest in the most egregiously inappropriate situations (funerals of war heroes, murdered children, etc.) simply to get the maximum attention and shock value. The protest has no connection to the person being buried, or anyone in attendance. They aren't against wars or Obama in particular (the've were protesting at funerals long before he was elected.) It's hard to follow the logic, but I believe they say that they target all Americans because, regardless of what we believe as individuals, we allow homosexuality in our society, so we must all be punished until we force our lawmakers to rid our country of all homosexual activity. I swear, I'm not making that up.

@ Debbie Spencer.. Because unfortunately these morons are mostly targeting our fallen heros. They are even going as far as picketing the arrival of the planes that bring back the fallen soldiers from over seas. I know that our amazing police, military and other motorcycle riders lined the streets to build a human wall when WBC said they were going to picked the funerals of the Sandy Elementary funerals. They somehow need to be stopped.. These are hate pickets not peaceful protests..

"Heroes" is not actually a legal term. I doubt the bill actually uses that term but if it does, it would also have to be defined in the bill. Agree with everyone that limiting the right to be free of protest is inadequate. Open it up to all people.

Debbie Spencer To my knowledge, the WBC didn't show up in Newtown. They have been all talk and no action for some time now. I suspect they are running low on hateful monies to fund their trips. Blessings for West TX. Hail to the Sheriff.

To Allen Fletcher, I agree with Debbie Spencer that there is no reason to limit this law to "heroes". It should be for "humans". As I pointed out in another place, what is crucial here is the state law regulating such "picketing" at funerals. I wrote: "Of key importance in the Westboro Supreme Court case (Snyder v. Phelps) was the fact that the law of the state in question (Maryland) restricted public demonstrations at funerals to not come closer than 100 yards. Westboro HAD respected that rule." So if Texas passes a suitable law, the Supreme Court might rule differently.

There is already a Texas law that deems it illegal to disrupt, picket, or protest at a funeral or funeral procession in Texas either 3 hours before, during, or 3 hours after! We just need people aware of the law and to enforce it.

Amanda McNamara they protest any funeral that will get them attention,they carry signs with vile statements in order to provoke violence,then they sue everyone involved.nothing to do with politics it's a business.

Most people have the guts and want these people as far away from any funeral...but once you do away with the constitution for one group then you have to do away with it for all...just like the Bible you can't pick and chose...oh wait most do pick and chose...

and @Veldon Lauder let's also add fleas from a 1000 camels for each member of the WBC along with a bottle of itching powder and extra hot habanero hot sauce as our gift to say thanks for visiting. On second thought lets not waste good habanero sauce on them yokels, so they can have a gallon of honey and a broken ant farm over a fire ant hill...

The Sheriff meant no such thing. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the WBC the Freedom of Speech. That right cannot be abrogated simply because we are disgusted by their venal and vile tactics.
If the Sheriff tries to stop them every liberty loving American ought to be outraged. They can do what they want as long as they do not interfere with any funeral.
They have the right to stand in the public commons, meaning a sidewalk, an express their views, no matter how childish or abhorrent it is to the rest of us.
That is what Liberty is. That is the price of freedom.
Liberty is not simply the things you or I agree with or what makes you comfortable.
Freedom of Speech is putting up with ideas you disagree with and behavior meant to provoke and antagonize.
Oppression of their Liberty means that you forfeit your own.

As much as I hate this church and I'm on the sheriff's side... you're right, David. They can't stop WBC legally. Unfortunately, if they try to do so, this "hate group" is litigious and full of lawyers and they will sue.... and they will win. This sheriff can't do a thing about it. If they could have been stopped by "the law"... they would have been destroyed years ago. It's the price we pay for our freedom of speech.

While I admire your zeal, I ask one thing: Would you say the same into the eyes of the victims family? What about their rights? I don't know exactly where the right to a undisturbed funeral service would lie in the Constitution, but I'm pretty sure that it's just as important to them as the free speech right is to the WB baboons. No, not a fan of theirs. Not a fan of speech repression. Not a fan of hate speech. But am a fan of rights going all around to everyone, not just a select group because they've done something to draw attention to themselves.

David C. Brown ......they should put up a perimeter....all the fireman, EMS, off duty police union members and just plain decent people in surrounding area of Texas should put up a human shield around the area to practice their own freedom of speech and keep them away, they are cowards and will not attempt to breach that line like they did not in Boston or Sandy Hook.

Can they issue a ban on marches/protests on a particular day, and make those days the days of the funerals. Small towns may not have ordinances about protests, but big cities do, and if it works in the big cities, it could work in smaller communities. Just my opinion, what say you?

Vicki Vinson Dalton If the wbc members are prevented from protesting they will probably sue. Indeed that is a major source of their funding. But wouldn't they have to sue in TX? I can see a TX judge awarding them $1 in damages.

@David freedom of speech do not give you the right to yell fire in a crowed threater. ( basically inflamatory speech is not protected under the first admendment. Westboro speech imflames. oneday chaos will break out. Freedoms and rights do not exclude responsability. If a fight breaks out at the furneral, westboro can be charge with inciting a riot or public distrubance. You can't look at the lst admendment and exclude, the part of responsable speech. Reasonable care must be afforded.
The sheriff will be will within his rights to charge Westboro with unpeaceful assembly.

In what way is yelling and holding up obnoxious signs NOT interfering with the funeral? There are conventions in a civil society - one does not drive by a funeral procession with one's radio blaring - in fact, one should pull over when hearses are passing. One does not disrupt the solemnity of a ceremony. It has nothing to do with free speech, and everything to do with respect. I'm sure they would object if I showed up at one of their religious ceremonies, if they actually HAVE any, and started reading atheist tracts.

@ David C. Brown There is a price to be paid for actions and words regardless of them being a right or not. If they come to Texas and try that shit they wont have to worry about the Sheriff. It will be the people of Texas who deal with them swiftly. They are more than welcome to try, but there will be hell to pay none the less, just one of the consequences of exercising your right to free speech irresponsibly.

No one more than Texans understand and cherish the constitution. But rest assured, we will not allow our injured or killed friends, families or strangers to be disrespected or desecrated.

Yes you have the right to try...but you will find out quickly we wont put up with your shit. We don't need the Sheriff to take care of these people.

Oh hell... I'd bust em all for disorderly conduct. Make em go to get lawyers, go to court and defend their precious rights. Investigate them as a potential threat to the community. Make their lives miserable. Maybe they can pass off their bu'shit as free speech. But, we can pass off harassment as good law enforcement in pursuit of justice.

I also agree with Davud, however, if the Sheriffs deputies and the firefighters decided to form a human wall protecting the funeral procession that would work and from what I understand has worked at a few of these disgusting protests.

David.. you live in good ole OREEGONE.. This is T E X A S.. Dude, you have NO IDEA what Texans are capable of.. I suggest you stand by and watch instead of opening your pie hole about things you know NOTHING about.

@ David, though you're correct, I doubt if "every liberty loving American" will be outraged at the sheriff if he arrests them. Outrage is what people have felt for the way the WBC has conducted themselves, but when a law enforcement officer violates a hate group's freedom of speech, you're going to get a heaping load of indifference. Again, you're correct, but the heinous actions by the WBC will not engender outrage, just more anger over their protests. They'll be released if arrested and would more than likely sue the town (so much for turn the other cheek) for the violation of their rights.

i am in scotland and not really involved in politics ,but these people deserve a decent funeral without protest of any sort,and i fully back the sheriffs stance on this matter and allow the families to bury their loved ones with as much dignity as can be afforded them,if that means the full force of the law so be it,,

And yet as a life long Union member I have many times been to peaceful protest forced by the police to stage the protest so far away from the event that those attending never even saw us in the 1990's at the summit of the Americas protest we were forced to stay many blocks away and allowed no transportation in or out of the downtown area except our feet and we were not a hate group as WB is sometimes it seems only the hateful have their rights coddled

spoken as a true liberal loon...wrong not all speech is protected, certainly not all protests are protected. There is mulitple excuses that can be used to arrest these fools-starting with inciting a riot, disorderly conduct, hate speech, etc....

What WBC promotes is anarchy and chaos quite the opposite of civility. Being tolerant of those who behave badly is not a requirement of being civilized, fearing the people of a civilization may take action on you for disturbing civility is reasonable.

I am not suggesting a mob action, I am suggesting they do not come here and test the resolve of the people of West or Texas. If they do, well they may just realize what a civilized community is capable of.

David C. Brown -- glad to see that someone gets it. I can't stand the WBC and I support the efforts of some to have a counter-protest that sheilds the mourners from them but only if it still allows them to express their views -- nasty as they are.

They can have their free speech - but NOT at funerals. Have respect for grieving families. I disagree with their message, but they can have it. At the right time and place - funerals are not the right time and place.

Treason, libel,slander,inciting to violence or causing public panic, and hate speech are more than just unpopular. Except for hate speech, they have been on the law books for longer than most of us have been alive as exemptions to the 1st amendment right to free speech.

The right to privacy of private citizens outweighs any alleged first amendment rights. Bleeding heart Liberal here who does not understand how Westboro can be granted permits to picket these funerals -- "clear and present danger" does not apply? And freedom of speech is not absolutely protected, Supreme Court said so. AND I am a bleeding heart Liberal

Actually, legally, they can. Do you think districts give them a protest permit because they love their message? Unless someone actually rates them as a hate group and announce that their "protests" are indeed hate speech then they can, not in the cemetery itself but on the road leading to it. The cemetery is private property, the road isn't.

unless its your free speech, huh John Norman? i'm a bleeding heart new york english liberal who abhors the wbc but who understands that if you stop free speech for one, you stop it for all. tricky issue. and sorry, Crystal, but there is no right time or place. Kathleen, if hate speech was not free speech, Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, Fox News etc, etc. would not have survived this long. However, Sheriff McNamara has the right to his own free speech. Way to go, Sheriff.

Sad part is that your tax dollars and mine are paying for these idiots to do this. They are tax exempt which gives them plenty of cash to travel to these places at a moment's notice. WE all know thats not cheap. Churches should not be tax exempt in the first place, but this so called church , needs to have their exemptions denied yesterday.

Not all speech is protected. Try yelling "Fire!" in a theatre and see what happens. Try blurting out obscenities in a public place and see how protected that speech is. Why WBC is allowed to do this stuff is mind boggling. That the Supreme Court ruled in their favor speaks volumes....about the justices sitting on the Supreme Court.

I think we may need an amendment to the 1st amendment - If you exercise you right to speek and it is offensive to someone else and they punch you in the face, maybe you should have been a bit more respectfull of what you said..... If this was allowed there would be no need to be PC.

Kathleen,...its sad but true....Hate speech is free speech. We may not like it, but its all legal.
I agree WBC has no MORAL right to protest at funerals.....but they do it anyway. A very immoral group of scum (ppl)

@John Norman...Unfortunately, it is ! Just because it offends you doesn't mean the 1st Amendment doesn't cover their protest. I find it incredibly offensive to do that but as long as they don't physically interfere the sheriff said he wouldn't prosecute.

Yes it should be protected. It is what the first amendment means when it says the freedmon of speech should not be abriged. You don't get to ignore the constitution just because you dislike someone or what they stand for.

It might help to understand, Marla if you can go to Westboro Baptist Church 's (Topeka, Kansas) website .. Bottom line, though -it's a group of "haters" who claim to be a church who have given themselves the right to go across the country, causing problems, suing locals to finance more trips to more funerals.

Dawn Van Tassel Holloman I totally agree with you!
I am a Christian in NZ, and I have been following these terrible actions for some time now ~ it is abhorrent what they are doing, and a disgrace to their professed views. They are haters, nothing less, and are certainly NOT followers of Jesus!

If I see an individual who is being exceptional in some sort of way, I can't help but think they deserve thanks. So, if someone is willing to stand for decency and respect, shouldn't the thanks go to them. I mean, if you think it was you god's doing, then I suppose thanks could go to him, but then that sort of interferes with free will and suggests it wasn't this persons doing, rather, it was the god's doing. So that person has really not done anything good.

I mean, if a scientists creates a code that computes a cure to a given virus, thanks goes to the scientist, not to the computer because the computer has had no say in the process, it was all the scientist.

I believe in the right to free speech, and I also believe in the right to experience the results of free speech. When we were in grade school we reaped the results of free speech, and learned to keep our mouths shut or we got a lesson in respect. The WB folks seem to have stopped learning respect about third grade, and maybe somewhere they will get to experience some lessons too, if not on earth, when they meet St. Peter.

Josh, You're confusing the relationship between God and a person with a machine. We aren't machines. You would thank the founder of a hospital even if they didn't treat you directly. You might thank a father saying "your son does great work over at the police station". Because even though the son has free will, his life choices were likely influenced by his father. That's that context in which this was meant.

They are saying that this is what God does . They don't know that . They don't even know
God. One can't tell god what he does only he knows what happened to his people some 14 billion years ago. Crazy people talk from a distorted brain and believe it as the truth. And my difinition of God is the Unknown that moves with time.

You can't try to understand the WBC, because they really are a bunch of irrational narcissists (and unattractive narcissists to boot -- the Reverend Fred Phelkps looks exactly like Rumpelstilskin) who are addicted to garnering publicity for a turdlet of a Kansas church with a few members who happen to be, mostly, related to each other.

What's to understand? They are the new KKK. a splinter group of Christians who took all the good out of the Bible and focused only on the messages of hate and judgement. As far as free speech, they can go picket to the trees because they will not be allowed anywhere near the actual funerals. It should be allowed that a local Sherriff can BAN them from entering the town on grounds of threats of emotional harm to it's already grieving citizens? Or you know, hold them for 24 hours for questioning as suspects. >.>

Sarah. There is nothing Christian about this group. They hijack a religion and a denomination to use as a foundation for their hatred. So many are so quick to take the freedoms of others because they have an "offensive" message. Strip their rights today and lose your rights tomorrow because the power class deems your ideas "offensive." There is a price for liberty. Sometimes it is blood and life. Sometimes it is tolerance. Interesting that the most intolerant, are those who are first to accuse persons with whom they disagree of intolerance.

For those who don't know the President has amended the Consitution as to with anyone protesting in the area of him can and will be arrested at his calling and held without bail or Habis Corpus, also there is such a thing as Public Nusense ** or loitering all of which local Authorities can use at will... they do it all the time.

I know where your heart is Lisa and I'm in agreement with you but not your reasoning. I once heard Tony Compalo say (paraphrased): One of the most fun moments you can have is listening to an intelligent person trying to explain a dumb idea. No offense Lisa but the idea is dumb but I suspect you are the 'intelligent person' and I wish you well.

Don't bother because sin happened long long ago mabey some 14 billion years ago. God is not in direct contact with every instance as if we as a people are angles and there is a wrong that need be corrected. this does not exist. When Cain killed Able were there any homesexuels or fags as the WBC puts it.

Lisa Alzada Black The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) is an American independent Baptist church known for its extreme ideologies, especially those against gay people.[2][3] The church is widely described as a hate group[4] and is monitored as such by the Anti-Defamation League and Southern Poverty Law Center. It is headed by Fred Phelps and consists primarily of members of his large family;[5] in 2011, the church stated that it had about 40 members.[1] The church is headquartered in a residential neighborhood on the west side of Topeka about three miles (5 km) west of the Kansas State Capitol. Its first public service was held on the afternoon of November 27, 1955.[6]

The church has been actively involved in actions against gay people since at least 1991, when it sought a crackdown on homosexual activity at Gage Park six blocks northwest of the church.[7] In addition to conducting anti-gay protests at military funerals, the organization pickets other celebrity funerals and public events that are likely to get it media attention.[8] Protests have also been held against Jews and some protests have included WBC members stomping on the American flag.

The WBC is not affiliated with any Baptist denomination, including the two largest Baptist denominations, the Baptist World Alliance or the Southern Baptist Convention, both of which have denounced the WBC over the years.[9] The church describes itself as following Primitive Baptist and Calvinist principles.[10]

Kris - it is up to the DA to determine the constitutionality. Law enforcement should be operating under those limits. WBC has no absolute rights to do anything they please under the guise of free speech. There are SCOTUS recognized limits to all freedoms.

For those of you thinking this Sheriff can not lock up these sorry excuses for a human being. this is a law in the Texas Penal Code!

§ 42.055. FUNERAL SERVICE DISRUPTIONS. (a) In this
section:
(1) "Facility" means a building at which any portion
of a funeral service takes place, including a funeral parlor,
mortuary, private home, or established place of worship.
(2) "Funeral service" means a ceremony, procession, or
memorial service, including a wake or viewing, held in connection
with the burial or cremation of the dead.
(3) "Picketing" means:
(A) standing, sitting, or repeated walking,
riding, driving, or other similar action by a person displaying or
carrying a banner, placard, or sign;
(B) engaging in loud singing, chanting,
whistling, or yelling, with or without noise amplification through
a device such as a bullhorn or microphone; or
(C) blocking access to a facility or cemetery
being used for a funeral service.
(b) A person commits an offense if, during the period
beginning one hour before the service begins and ending one hour
after the service is completed, the person engages in picketing
within 500 feet of a facility or cemetery being used for a funeral
service.
(c) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.

what more, you ask : THE LAWS OF TEXAS which are - at least for the moment -NOT KNOCKED DOWN by the USA Supreme Court and obviously, the Sheriff DOES understand those laws !!! :) and by TEXAS laws - those people can't come close to the families !!!! due to the footage law and the time for protesting permit laws !!!!!

Wrong again, Yu Gno, it's up to the DA to prosecute those who are arrested and charged with a crime. It's up to the courts to determine contstitutionality. And it's up to the law enforcers to arrest those who break the laws.

WBC protesters could be arrested for picketing funerals simply for being a public nuisance--by causing a disturbance to those at the funerals--it would tie them up the rest of those days being booked, then waiting for a bail hearing, having to get any children with them back from local CPS. They'd stop doing it real quick.

Of course, someone suggested having a friendly trucker double park behind them...could always have a sympathetic gas station attendant offer to check the oil...and tell them they've got some bad spark plug wires that have to be replaced right away as a fire hazard...

their speech is free, where they stand while making that speech is totally different. They are worse than many who are being questioned as terrorist. The are infringing on the families free speech in public domain. Silence is a form of speech that many of us would like respected.

We need some inginuity in our law inforcement, as an ex cop I'll bet I could find a dozen reasons to impound thier van and more reasons for them to spend the night in jail and on and on and on. Every town they go to woul be more of the same.

just because they can say what they want to say, doesn't mean they get to say it just any where they want to say it.... funerals are designed to allow those remaining to pay their respects, not show their disrespect. if someone hated a me, would they be allowed to show up at my funeral and give me a scathing eulogy? i don't think so. what happened to disturbing the peace? causing civil unrest? don't those laws exist anymore? i am very proud of this man...very!!!! thank you sheriff!

Mr. Culpepper are you not aware that the Supreme Court is operating under mandates determined by one man and not by the Constitution? There is no free speech anymore unless it is conducive to BO's agenda. Common sense, you can have your circus, 3 hours before and 3 hrs. after, 1000 feet away. Anything else and they will deserve what it is time to get.

He could understand that the Supreme Court is flawed with sinners and the public relies on them for every thing .Even the things they should not be ruling on. They should disqualify themselves on matters they are not familiar with and leave the matter to the greiving families to decide. Who needs them to decide for me if I am offended or not.

I was always taught to respect the dead you may not like them or some of those who attend the service. But I can tell you this if my children were to do something like this they wouldn't have to worry about the police or the towns people they would be watching over thier shoulder for me. I've taught them better.

Kris Penzig I kill people that intrude on my grieving feelings and in my sacred places when they try to steal away my love for the deceased.which could be my son .................... especially twisted minds with unjust rights that have been given to them.

We're just venting!! kinda like when you get a little drunk, and just start spewing crap you've wanted to say for a long time. That's what this is, don't worry we're not going to kill anyone!! What pisses me off more than anything.......They are "tax exempt"!!!!!!!

Fred Phelps (founder of WBC) has sent some of his kids through law school for the very reason that they are able to defend their protests through their right to freedom of speech. I think they have always won when people like the sheriff go after them. They are always very careful to be a certain distance away, within the law to it's very edge. Unfortunately. He is crazy but competent.

This is my sheriff and I am proud of him. There are reasons why the saying "Don't mess with Texas" is so popular. Westboro Baptist Church whack jobs better not mess with us...they will be run out of town on a rail. I am a liberal Democrat and the sheriff is a Republican, and I am still proud of him.

it may be true that will win but it will stop them from picketing the funerals. anything to stop them. let them win in the end. they don't win if they're not there. the sherriff does. some people are willing to take a blow from government to protect those they care about. give me fines, fees, penalties, i would still go after them period.

Julie Hendricks Ide : Then they should have read the fairly NEW TEXAS Laws concerning protesting at funerals :) lol wasted trip for them - I really wish everyone could /would quit talking about them because that is the ONLY publicity they will get from this tragedy ! O and the news that they were refused service at hotels close by :)

we can ban together and block their view as in Boston, they were too afraid to get out of their van. That was the crowds right of speech. Lets pass it on and be their for each other to block these vermin.

I can understand why, Linda...I'd be proud of any elected official or law enforcement officer who would publicly take a stand against this type of cruel and despicable behavior. Wish our Senators weren't such cowards.

I agree, Erica - just get them stopped and out of there. I am heartbroken for the people who were affected by that horrific explosion. They have enough to deal with; they don't need vicious and hateful people on top of it.

Picketing would violate that "safe" distance..... since by its very definition it is a line designed to prevent the "crossing or movement" of individuals to a set location..... as such.... they would be breaking the law and subject to the penalties therein.... no matter what their laywers try to pull

I don't know about the rest of the country, but this is Texas, and when the Sheriff tells someone they'd best mind their own business, you'd better believe that's the way it's going to happen. I suspect prosecution should be the least of the protestors worries. As someone who's attended services for fallen heroes before, I assure you those protestors won't show simply because of the number of firearms that will be present. I drove through West today, and the fire trucks were on the overpass, preparing to pay tribute.

you know, word has it that they made a stop (they = wbc) at a town in Oklahoma to picket a funeral ( Okies take their military funerals seriously)... and they could not make the funeral due to flat tires... and no one in town would provide them service (no tow, no food, no air, no flat repair) they ended up having to call a tow truck(s) from another town to get towed so they could get their flats fixed.... (not sure what caused the flats, must have run over some junk on the hiway coming down....

My house was a few blocks inside zone 1, incurred only house damage. Our thoughts are with our loved ones and heroes and I'm leaving now to walk across town to either attend the funeral of Capt Harris, or if full, stand in the Red Line. Our finest were already blocking off streets out from St Marys hours ago so about the only way to that side of town is on foot. We will keep the peace but we will not tolerate their bothering our families.

not a sign of them around the church (the bad people that is) but a solid line of red shirts. I got to help around the front of the church making sure the photographers stayed away from where the family was. Sheriff's helicopter and a plane circled the entire time. Everything went smoothly, heard there were red shirts all the way to the cemetery, will have to watch the news and see.

I could not agree more! These wackos need to be dealt with. They give religion a bad name and need to be stopped from this heinous lack of respect. God Bless this Sheriff and I think I can speak for a multitude - We thank you for taking a stand!

I am a member of the Patriot Guard Riders. We formed the group just to protect fallen soldiers' families from the effects of this group of haters. We fly big flags from our bikes and get between the protesters and the funeral procession. If they have bullhorns, then we rev up our loud pipes to drown them out. I suggest they read the bible, especially John 13:35.